Is There a Return to New York on the Cards For Kevin Durant?

Less than two seasons removed from his time with the Nets, Kevin Durant may be headed back to New York, but this time with the Knicks.

Insider Shams Charania isn’t ruling out Durant as a potential trade target for the recently-eliminated Knicks.

“On Kevin Durant, I will say this: There was mutual interest between Kevin Durant and the Knicks at the trade deadline,” Charania said. “The Knicks made an offer for KD… We’ll see what happens in the next couple of weeks. Do they go star hunting? But, at the bare minimum, they’re going to have to add some more depth.”

However, Sports New York’s Ian Begley’s thinks KD won’t be headed to the big apple, “I believe that it’s unlikely that the Knicks would ultimately pull the trigger on a trade for him.”

There are plenty of trade proposal ideas being thrown around.

One from Andy Bailey is below.

Knicks receive: Kevin Durant
Suns receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Pacome Dadiet and a 2032 first-round pick.

Though it is hard to see NY part ways with KAT when he’s only been there one season.

Bailey wrote that the former No. 1 overall pick may not be missed by the passionate New Yorkers.

“The New York Knicks already fired Tom Thibodeau after losing in the conference finals, but if they’re looking for another scapegoat, Karl-Anthony Towns has certainly gotten plenty of heat around the internet the last couple days. A sizable and vocal contingent of Knicks fans probably wouldn’t be too upset to see him moved, especially if it was for KD’s expiring contract,” he wrote. “Part of the frustration with KAT is a contract that runs through 2027-28 and pays him $61 million that year (when he has a player option). This trade would obviously get the Knicks off the hook for most of that deal, while also landing them a bit more dynamic shot creator who’s more mobile on defense. For the Suns, this is another interesting guard-big duo for (Devin) Booker, especially since he and KAT are famously close friends. Getting a pick and a prospect doesn’t hurt either.”

Durant to the Knicks is certainly intriguing, but there are other teams who are more desperate for the kind of offensive spark KD provides.